Jul. 9— Drowsy driving is to blame for a crash involving a semi-truck and a fire truck that shut down I-75 in Butler County early Tuesday, according to troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hamilton Post.
A Liberty Township firefighter who was hit during the incident was evaluated a local hospital. Released and returned home where he was reported resting, said Libert Twp. Fire Chief Ethan Klussman.
The firefighter was in the driver's side of his ladder truck helping with traffic detail after a crash shut down Interstate 75 when another truck hit the ladder truck.
Klussman said the fire truck suffered serious damage.
"I am going to call it severe damage," he said, adding it is out of commission until the manufacturer can do a damage assessment.
The accident was reported just after midnight on the north side of interstate across from Lakota East High School in West Chester Twp./Liberty Twp.
All lanes on I-75 were blocked due to the crash, but reopened around 2:20 a.m.
State troopers say crews were investigating a previous crash involving two semi-trucks on the interstate just north of Ohio 129 when the second collision occurred.
Both semi's were disabled from the crash, with one blocking the right lane on I-75.
The Liberty Twp. fire truck was assisting with traffic control in the previous crash, and was also blocking the right lane on the interstate with its overhead lights on. A semi traveling north failed to move over and struck the ladder. Both trucks suffered heavy damage in the crash.
The Liberty Twp. firefighter who was on the passenger side of the fire truck suffered minor injuries in the wreck, troopers said.
The semi-truck driver suffered minor injuries as well. Both individuals, whose names were not released, were transported to West Chester Hospital with unknown conditions.
A crash investigation revealed the semi driver fell asleep while driving. The driver was cited for Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA) and for driving a commercial vehicle with impaired alertness.
State troopers were assisted on scene by the Liberty Twp. Fire Department, the Butler County Sheriff's Office, and the West Chester Twp. Fire Department.
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